How long does a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix live?

A typical lifespan is 12–15 years, the midpoint of the Border Collie (12–15 years) and the Australian Shepherd (12–15 years).

Is a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix easy to train?

Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

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Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix

A Border Collie Australian Shepherd mix is a cross between a Border Collie and a Australian Shepherd. Most grow into medium-sized dogs of 35–60 lb and live 12–15 years.

Border Collie, a purebred dog — Border ColliePhoto: Horacio Cambeiro, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Australian Shepherd, a purebred dog — Australian ShepherdPhoto: Christoph Aeschlimann, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Photos show the purebred parents. There is no single look for a mix: puppies in one litter can resemble either side.

Weight35–60 lbcan be 30–65 lb

Height18–22 inat the shoulder

Lifespan12–15 years

SizeMedium-sized

How big does a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix get?

Border Collie30–55 lb

The mix35–60 lb

Australian Shepherd40–65 lb

Pounds. The dark band is where most Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix dogs end up; the light band is the full range between the smallest and largest parent.

Height runs 18–22 inches at the shoulder, against 18–22 in for the Border Collie and 18–23 in for the Australian Shepherd.

Coat, energy and training

Shedding

Moderate

Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.

Energy

Very high

Plan on long daily walks plus real exercise, such as running, fetch or a sport. A yard alone will not tire this dog out.

Trainability

Very high

The Border Collie rates very high and the Australian Shepherd very high; a puppy may lean either way.

Grooming

Moderate

Brush a couple of times a week.

Temperament

The Border Collie is usually described as affectionate, smart, energetic. The Australian Shepherd as smart, work-oriented, exuberant. A mix can take after either parent or land in between. If you can, meet both parents of a puppy before you choose.

Border Collie vs Australian Shepherd vs the mix

Trait	Border Collie	Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix	Australian Shepherd
Weight	30–55 lb	35–60 lb	40–65 lb
Height	18–22 in	18–22 in	18–23 in
Lifespan	12–15 yr	12–15 yr	12–15 yr
Shedding	moderate	moderate	moderate
Energy	very high	very high	high
Group	Herding	mixed	Herding

Questions about the Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix

How big does a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix get?: Most grow to 35–60 pounds and 18–22 inches at the shoulder. Because puppies can take after either parent, the full possible range is 30–65 pounds.
How long does a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix live?: A typical lifespan is 12–15 years, the midpoint of the Border Collie (12–15 years) and the Australian Shepherd (12–15 years).
Does a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix shed?: Shedding is moderate. Neither parent has a low-shedding coat, so expect dog hair around the house and seasonal heavy shedding.
Is a Border Collie Australian Shepherd Mix easy to train?: Trainability is very high, based on how both parent breeds respond to training. Start early and keep sessions short.

Other Border Collie mixes

Other Australian Shepherd mixes

Figures are calculated from each parent breed's standard height, weight and life expectancy. How we calculate.